Did you know that as many as 70 million people in the U.S suffer from one of over 80 types sleep disorders?
Having trouble getting a good night’s sleep can be more than a minor annoyance; it can be the sign of a more serious problem. North Fulton Hospital’s Sleep Disorders Center is equipped to help to diagnose and treat patients in our comfortable, home-like atmosphere.
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Sleep Apnea and Other Common Sleep Problems
The most often diagnosed sleep disorder is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Apnea means “want of breath” and causes brief pauses in breathing, often hundreds of times a night. The disruption in sleep along with reduced oxygen levels puts patients at risk for cardiac disease and stroke as well increased risk for automobile accidents.
Common symptoms of OSA include:
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (including falling asleep watching TV or at stop lights)
- Loud Snoring (often interrupted by silence and then gasps)
- Obesity
- High Blood Pressure
- Morning Headaches
- Loss of Sex Drive
Other sleep disorders include:
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Narcolepsy – persistent inability to stay awake
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Insomnia – difficulty falling or maintaining sleep
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Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)- twitching of legs and sometimes arms
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Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) –creepy crawling feeling the in the legs
Testing
Sleep testing can take place through different methods and may include one or more nights and/or days of testing at our sleep center located in the Medical Office Building adjacent to the hospital. Our recently remodeled rooms include queen size beds and flat panel TV’s. Showers are also available for your convenience.
Our center uses state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment that allows for acquisition, scoring, and data review. Reports are turned around in a timely fashion and are usually available from your ordering physician within five to seven business days.
A Sleep Study, or polysomnogram (PSG), is an overnight test that looks at several factors including brain waves, air flow, oxygen levels, heart rhythm and is performed at a patient’s normal bedtime.
A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Study is the treatment portion of testing where the correct amount of pressure to relieve apneas and snoring is determined.
A Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) measure daytime sleepiness and consists of four to five 20-35 minute naps throughout the day following a sleep study.
Referrals
Patients can be referred by their primary care physician, or they may contact the Sleep Disorders Center at 770-751-2910 for assistance in scheduling a consultation appointment. If you or someone you know suffers from any of the problems described, a good night’s sleep might just be a phone call away.
Educational Information
External Links
Contact Us
For more information, please call us at 770-751-2910.